Sustainable Transport Solutions for Basseterre, St. Kitts

- An OAS funded project (Feb 2013-Feb 2015)

Presented by:

Dr. Leighton Naraine PhD., MURP, MA, BA, Edu. Cert

Director – Employee, Program Development, & Research

Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College

Presented to:

OAS Forum – Antigua, June 22, 2016

Problem Identification

Traffic statistics is generally compiled by the Police Traffic Department of motor vehicles licensing and regulations and Inland Revenue Department on vehicle registration fees.

Both the Traffic and Inland Revenue Department gather data on such aspects as road accidents, vehicle types, sizes, capacities, and year (similar data is collected by insurance agencies).

However, it is not known to what extent such data is analyzed and utilized for transportation planning.

Although the National Physical Development Plan identifies Transportation as a concern, it does not have a plan element to address Transport Solutions for the city or country.

It appears that there is limited emphasis on traffic congestion relief management, mode share, and pollution regulations and mitigation.

The Circus, Basseterre Early Morning

The Circus, Basseterre Mid-Morning

Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes

To develop a database of transportation statistics To determine percentage distribution of transportation mode share of commuters using private automobiles, mass-transit, motorized bikes, bicycles, and walking To assess the effect of spatial distribution and provision of vehicle parking facilities To assess the effect of traffic conditions and design features of transportation networks on mode share To formulate a transportation plan and implementation framework for re-distribution of mode share, with emphasis on reducing traffic congestion, pollution, and cost to commuters

Partners/Stakeholders

Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College - Principal Investigator

Ministry of Sustainable Development; Development Control & Planning Board; Physical Planning & Environment - Co-Investigator

Ministry of Public Works

Ministry of Tourism

Chamber of Industry & Commerce (private sector)

Street Vendors

Commuting Public

Preliminary Investigation

Sustainable Transport Solutions will examine data from various departments and agencies to determine existing patterns and formulate strategies to address gaps in the data sets that are essential for transportation planning.

Such planning would provide a mechanism to design a more environmentally friendly and livable urban center that would contribute to community development.

Engage stakeholders, Elected Officials, and the General Public on the need for sustainable solutions relating to vulnerabilities, sensitivities, and adaptability (shaping attitudes by articulating alternatives and benefits.

Methodology

Review and analyze baseline data from traffic counts, surveys, spatial analysis, attempts to introduce changes (methods/process to be determined, based on findings)

Train personnel:

Planning Theory & Process

Re-design traffic counts (pedestrian and cyclists (motorized and non-motorized) and identify strategic points for counts

Design of survey instruments

Transportation modeling (Cube Voyager 4-Step Model – Trip Generation, Trip Distribution/Destination, Mode Choice, Trip Assignment; Spatial and Temporal variations

Spatial analysis (GIS Interface)

Traffic calming and Urban Design

Issues for Implementation

Administrative /Organizational: inter-sectoral platform Capacity Building: training, strengthening relations between organizations, transfer of knowledge, engagement of community/outreach, revenue generating mechanism for sustainability Field Investigation: new activities (vendors, signage, wiring, drainage) Aesthetics and preferences Sense of place Alternative parking

Implementation Strategies

Context: Cultural & Social Values (consumption patterns) Preferences & Sensitivities Points of Entry: Strategies (build on small successes) Articulate Benefits Provide alternatives Environmental Change and Adaptive Capacity Livelihoods and Building Resilience Mechanisms: organizational structure; knowledge management (organize existing data, fill gaps, interpret data, and make it available and accessible) Opportunities: Pedestrianism and Cycling as modes of transport

Interview Analysis • Traffic Considerations

• Current challenge for traffic in Basseterre relates to the fact that everyone wants to park close to businesses in Fort Street- Central Street and East Independence to College Street including Lozack Road. Even with designated parking on the outside of the city center (yet still close) on streets such as Bladen Street, East pond by TDC to West Buckleys in Camps; there is a struggle to take people in the city centre.

• • Traffic problems are usually more noticeable around the time that people

go to and leave work: 7.30 to 9.00, 11.30 – 1.30, 3.30 – 5.00

• Creation of Scenario: Bicycles and Motorcycles are a faster more energy efficient mode of transport that automobiles. The road network in the city forms a very rigid grid iron patterndesigned before the invention of the motor car. In fact its design envisaged horse carts and the pedestrian. There has been no significant road work since that fundamentally changed or improved on the existing infrastructure. As such, bicycles and motorcycles, a smaller mode of transport than the car has scope within the urban tapestry. (Physical Planning, 2015).

Traffic Considerations • The Traffic Department would support bikes and pedal cycles once

users wear headgear. Use bike as intended not for stunts not to exceed the speed limit which endangers others. Users should be responsible, should have an orderly approach as a measure of preference. ( Traffic Department, 2015)

• • Possible solution may include decentralization: Everyone comes

from the country to Basseterre so we need to encourage business sector to spread out of Basseterre to alleviate problems.

• • Possible Campaign: “Walk into Basseterre or Use Bikes Responsibly” • • Bike Usage Level: •

– St. Kitts: 450 motorcycles/ 150 motor scooters

• – Nevis: 95 motorcycles/ 88 motor scooters

Survey Analysis • The main means of transport is via public means (39%) followed closely by

travelling in personally owned vehicle (33%). Only 3% of respondents use motorbikes and motor scooters and 1% travel using bicycles.

• On average 37% of respondents have 1 vehicle available to them, compared to 35% who have no vehicle available and 17% with 2 vehicles.

• Respondents indicated that the main type of vehicle available for use is and SUV/Truck which they use to travel to work four to five times per week (40%) and more than five times (44%).

• • Over 94% of respondents indicated that they do not use a motorbike or

bicycle for commuting to work or school. • When asked about parking, 44% find that it is not easy to locate parking

spaces in the city. The options for best solutions to the parking problem ranked very close, however the highest ranked option was for marking all streets with evenly spaced parking lines. The lowest ranking option was using a smaller vehicle or a motorbike. Only 16% of respondents pay for parking and 83% would consider paying for parking if free parking was not available.

Biking • For commuters who travel by means other than the use of a motorbike

47% would not use a motorbike, 36% would and 17% are unsure about use of the motorbike.

• The two main reasons tabled include inability to operate (37%) and road safety (32%).

• On the other hand for potential use of a bicycle, 58% would not use one, 31% would and 11% are unsure.

• Similar reasons are tabled with the top two being road safety (48%) and weather conditions (31%).

• Forty eight percent of respondents state that they would use a motorbike if it were less harmful to the environment. This is compared only 24% who would be very likely, likely (18%) and somewhat likely (22%) to use a bike if it were customized for to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Promenade

• When asked if a promenade in the city would make it more attractive to citizens, 88% agree that it would.

• 26% agree that a pedestrianized Basseterre would encourage them to use a motorbike or bicycle.

Parking Analysis • The analysis of parking space supply and demand reveals that

there are sufficient parking spaces to meet the current demand, with more than adequate excess to account for the displacement of parking on Fort Street.

• From the Parking Assessment, of which details are available in the attachment, there is generally a surplus of parking spaces, as noted below:

• Capacity of parking spots/ spaces in the Study Area is 2861 • The number of cars counted on the 16th August 2013 is 1304 • • However, it appears on most days that the streets in the

urban area are highly congested and finding parking spaces is usually a problem.

Pending

• In new Ministry of Public Transport: • Meet with Minister • (already met with PS of Public Transport)

• Get commitment of new Control and Planning Board

• Train new personnel in Planning Department on

Transportation Modeling

• Source materials and Labour (Public Works & Private) for Implementation: Streetscape for Promenade; Mark Parking Spaces; Plan New Parking Area and Shuttle Service